"Bloodstains washing underneath the waves. I'll be reaching out to keep you safe."

Kakuzu and Hidan had made it to Takigakure without incident. Kakuzu had pulled out the bounty to give it another once-over before they proceeded forward.

"What the hell are we looking for?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. There isn't much detail to go by." He had handed the documentation over to Hidan.

"How the fuck are we supposed to find her based off THIS?"

Kakuzu was unsure on how to proceed on finding this woman. He knew that she wouldn't just turn up either, so they would have to gather some local intel in order to track her down. This money could make a difference to the Akatsuki, though and more importantly, to Kakuzu. Although intel was NOT one of Hidan's stronger tactics, he had no choice but to leave it to Hidan. Kakuzu had explained where to meet him in an hours time.

"We meet back here in an hour, you got that?" There was very little patience for the Jashinist. "I will look for clues, she's had to have left something behind to track her."

"Yeah yeah, Miser." And with that, Hidan was off to question some locals about said mystery woman.

Kakuzu couldn't help but stare at an all too familiar stream. If he headed south, it would have lead to that little nook where he first met Minahira. A place he was not wishing to go by, but the location of said place could turn up some clues if this wild woman is living out here. As he approached the little cave they had camped in on more than one occassion, he felt a ache in his chest. How could one person cause so much pain and happiness at the same time? He couldn't explain that. He had to let that part of his past go, as there was no going back to that time. He was about to head towards the north but happen to catch a glimpse of something shiny resting at the bottom of the stream. On closer inspection, it was a headband that was obviously a locals. It had to be, but why would it be here? He looked around and didn't notice any signs of a fight or struggle. So why was there a lone headband here? It didn't make much sense, not until he walked further downstream. There was a sole kunai carelessly laid on the ground. Could this be the woman's trail, or could it be a distraction trail? Kakuzu would assume the latter. If this woman was as capable as stated, then she would more than likely have several trails all over the place so as to not be found. Smart.

Instead of continuing south, Kakuzu had turned and headed north. There wasn't much of relevance that he noticed along this way. He had just about given up on this path until something came into his view in the distance. The well. It had looked more decrepit now than it did all those years ago. As he got closer, a slight breeze picked up. It gave him a sense of refreshment, in all honesty. This area was something he held closely to his heart. The outside of the well was long since gone, only a hole in the ground remained. The stone that made up the well had crumbled and was at the base of what used to be a true well. As he looked closer, the water appeared black-like there was absolutely no light shining in it, although there was light shining on it. Curious. The breeze seemed to pick up and was starting to feel like the winds of an oncoming storm. Although the sky was bright and not showing the first sign of any kind of storm. Even more curious. He needed to head back to the meeting spot and wait for his partner. As he turned to head that way,the breeze stopped completly-causing Kakuzu to stop in his tracks. He was being watched and he could feel it, although it didn't feel malicious..yet.

He looked over his shoulder and froze. There were a pair of eyes gleaming in the light, although he couldn't quite see the face that they belong to due to the way the light hit it. From what he could tell, this person were pale-almost on par with that snake, Orochimaru. And then they vanished. A chill crept up his neck, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Something or someone was definitly watching him. Something he couldn't see. And that thought alone put him on edge. When he was sure that he couldn't see a trace of anybody, he had turned around to be met with a glowing arrow pointing right in his face. Attached to it were a pair of obsidian black colored arms that lead to a grey colored gradient the further up to the shoulders it went. When he locked eyes with the threat, he froze. Those same glowing white eyes he had seen on Mina before her untimely death froze him to the core-if only for a moment. This woman had to be the woman they were looking for. Long black hair pulled up into a loose ponytail that came down to her mid-back. This was obviously some sort of possession he had to asume, because her legs were the same gradient as her arms. Her body, covered barely with even more of this black to grey gradient. What was this unnatural substance? It was not smooth by any means and in fact looked a bit jagged on the bends of her arms and legs. On top of this, she was wearing a plain black cropped top with no sleeves but a turtle neck, underneath was a long sleeved black mesh shirt paired with a deep green pair of shorts. She had some sort of brown sling around her diagonally but near the center of her chest where it would have covered, there was a see through round glass object that glowed different shades of red. Curiously, he wondered what that was or what it held on the inside. Possibly this could be where her weak point was, but without testing this theory, he would have no idea if this was true. She only came to his chest, height wise, but he assumed he shouldn't take this threat lightly. He was about ready to fight, hand to hand, until the sunlight shone on her face. Kakuzu couldn't believe his own eyes. This woman...she had Minahira's features. He couldn't process this right now, right now he had to get rid of the threat in front of him.

"Take off the mask." Her voice was unhuman sounding. Almost ghostly. He could hear two different voices speaking in unison as she spoke. A light female voice and a deep, dark male voice. His mask? Why would that thought cross a killers mind unless they wanted to see the one they were about to kill. He knew that Hidan would eventually come looking for him if he was not in the expected meeting place. All he had to do was buy some time so as to secure this bounty without putting himself in actual danger. He wasn't sure of this woman's abilities, but he was not going to underestimate her in the slightest.

Kakuzu held his ground, unwilling to give this woman what she wanted. "Why would I do that?"

"You are in no position to bargain with us."

Us? He couldn't see anyone else in the area and there were no other chakra signatures that he could detect. "Us?"

The sounds coming from her arrow were unlike anything he heard. It seemed to have a sound akin to anger to it. It wasn't loud, by any means, but it was very persistent. It was something similar to a hissing sound. The bow itself was unlike any he had seen before either. It matched her dark obsidian appendages, while having deep purple steming from where her hand was placed as it traced the entirety of the bow. As if on que to the angry noises it made, the bow had opened up- starting from the center, there were now four points that it stemmed to. Almost as if the attack on him were now charged. As he finished his studying of her bow and arrow-that appeared to be made of some kind of lightning-that he couldn't quite understand.

"You dare to deny my request?" In that exact instant, he felt his legs become submerged in the same material that littered this womans body. It was as solid as concrete, it felt like. Absolutely no wiggle room. He had to come up with a plan, and fast or this could turn sour quickly for him.

"Are you underestimating me, making demands of someone you don't know?"

"You think we do not know your name? How I pity you, Kakuzu of Takigakure."

He felt a chill deep in his bones. How would she know his name?

"You have questions, and I have answers. Comply and you might be surprised at what you find."

This woman spoke in riddles. How did she know him. Was this woman somehow related to Minahira? No. She couldn't be. Mina had told him she had no family left. Then it hit him like a monsoon. Could this woman somehow posses parts of Minahira? This could be possible if this were some knda of reanimation jutsu, but he couldn't find any reason why someone would do that. Nobody in this day and time would even know her name. Too much time had to have passed. But why would this woman favor the one he could never forget. He had to know.

"...Mina?"

His eyes met hers, and she seemed to transform into a normal woman. White hair, tanned complextion, amber eyes. He was frozen. Had he died and not realized it? Was this his passing meeting with the woman he let harm befall?

"There is not much time." She seemed rushed. Why? He had waited for years to see her again, although as an enemy he was not expecting. He knew he would fail this mission. How could he not? How could he kill the one woman that he cared for? The woman he was in love with through his adolescence and young adult life. The woman that had a grip on him that he could not explain.

"You are not dead. Do not fret, Kakuzu. You are safe..for now." She had extended her hand to him. Before he could even think about it, he took her hand in his own. Surely this was some kind of sick jutsu. This could not be true. But he followed her willingly and without question. Maybe this whole situation made him look ignorant or too willing to comply, but he had longed for this same woman for the majority of his life. He had promised to continue living for her, but could this be deaths sweet embrace? Maybe to many they would call him ignorant for allowing himself to become fooled by something like this, but the truth of the matter was that being with her once more was his biggest hope. The final end to his journey. That was all he could wish for. As much wrong as he had done in his life, all he could ever hope for was to be reunited with Minahira once more, even if so briefly to tell her what he never told her during her fleeting life. It felt like many life times had passed since she was in his life.

"How is this possible?" That was the only question he could ask this shell of the woman he loved.

She gave him a small smile before she spoke. A hotness came across him that he honestly couldn't afford to pay any attention to. Not right now. He pulled off his mask, allowing her to see him for who he now was. The dark matter that had encased his legs had begun to crumble apart, freeing him to move with her towards a wooded area. This most certainly was a trap, but he had no care for any of that. His whole self was only focused on the woman surely leading him to his death. A death he had long since wished for.

"You must listen closely. There is not much time left." She began as they faded into the tree line. "Do you remember the day you found me, dying in this same forest?"

"How could I ever forget.." He muttered.

"My mission was no normal recon mission. There was a spirit that roamed this area, a very strong male. He was an excellent hunter. And we were the targets. That is, until he decided he wanted to be flesh once more. And I was his target." She had begun whispering, as if someone was close by. Could it have been Hidan? He hadn't any clue because that was not his current focus. "When you brought me to the well, that was the final step for the immortal sacrifice. And now I do his bidding, and have for many years." She had stopped, dropping Kakuzus hand. She looked distressed, like something was bothering her that she wasn't telling him. He waited for her to speak again, not knowing how to process this new information. She had been here since the day he had left her? How he hated himself for not knowing that this whole time he grieved for her, that she was still walking in that same forest she died in. "I am trapped here, and have been for many years. Older than footsteps than those that have long since been forgotten." She had become silent. What point was she making? There was so much he had longed to confess to her. He had been filled with regret, anger, and sorrow for many years.

"Mina, before anything happens, there is something that I need to tell you." There was a heaviness that lingered in the air. He wondered just how much control she truly had over this spirit. "I have hated myself for many years, knowing I failed you. Knowing I could have prevented this." He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly feeling dry and scratchy. He was nervous, as expected, but he couldn't hold back any longer. He put his hand gently on her face, moving her to face him as he spoke. "I never told you all those years ago just how important you were to me." He could feel the heat rising to his face-naturally his nerves were not prepared for this situation, but he refused to let her slip out of his grasp again. "I didn't realize my true feelings until..I seen you dying, and I have regretted never telling you how much I truly care for you. You were everything I ever needed."

Tears flowed from the woman in front of him, and he felt completely crushed inside. No amount of time could have prepared him for this. Was she stuck here this whole time alone? How much control did this spirit have over her? Could it be undone? He had too many questions and no answers for any of them. He had no idea how much time he had with her, but he knew their time together was very limited. He couldn't hold back any longer as he cupped her face and kissed her, emotions running high between the two of them, even if it wouldn't last-none of it mattered so long as he could be with her for any amount of time. It had felt like an eternity between them, but truly it was only moments before she opened her eyes wide, pushing him away from her. The look of hurt and confusion on his face hurt her- but now was no time for that. She had scanned the area and found the threat with ease, but not before he lunged at her. She did not move, and instead too the hit head on.

Kakuzu watched in horror as Hidan had managed to stick his scythe right through her torso, although it didn't cut her in half, it had surely done some serious damage. In that moment she had transformed back into her second form. She had grabbed the hilt of Hidan's scythe and stuck it deeper in herself, letting out a loud roar that could not have been mistaken for her. No this had to be the spirit she was now trapped with. Although her eyes had went from a glowing white to a glowing red. Fuck, this was bad.

"What the hell is wrong with this woman?" Hidan had halfway sounded shocked that his blow didn't seem to do anything but piss her off and he jumped back to a safe distance. The blood that dripped from her was far from normal. It almost looked like black tar to Kakuzu. He had never seen anything like this. And as if on que to match the wretching scream she let out in anger, her body began making cracking and jerking motions. She was changing shapes again? What kind of horrifying form is this? Her appendages were twice as long as normal, making her look more intimidating, despite her torso looking like she hadn't had a meal this whole time she was trapped in this forest. Her face had become distorted as well- her teeth looked like several rows of serrated knives. There were at least four rows that he could see. Could this be the demons true form?

And then when it spoke, he could hear nothing but Minahira's voice, although it sounded like it was an echo. "I will never have to be alone again.."

"Please, I don't want to hurt you." Kakuzu desperately pleaded.

But it was no use. The anger in her voice rising with each word until she was screaming, "Hurt me? HURT ME? You will NEVER hurt me again!"

He had to speculate that she had assumed Hidan's attack was apart of some plan that Kakuzu did NOT have. And now with the fear of being threatened, he began to abandon the hope of freeing her from whatever sick bounding ritual was performed on her to bind her to this spirit and this forest. There was not much of even a shred of hope of getting her back again. She was quick, too. Quicker than they could anticipate. She was very strong as well, all Kakuzu could focus on was dodging and avoiding inflicting too much harm on her. There had to be another way. There just had to be. How could he even begin to explain to his partner to NOT finish this job. That is when he lost hope. There was no way Hidan would blindly follow or trust Kakuzu. Not after the way Kakuzu had constantly treated him and spoke to him.

She had stood on all fours, like some sort of animal. And in that instant, she had shown her true strength by ripping apart of the Earth from its crust and slinging it towards Hidan, which he narrowly escaped. "What the fuck kind of monster is this woman?" As Hidan had finished his question, he had leapt towards the now disfigured woman, trying to aim for her vitals, but she was quick too and blocked using her left arm, the black questionable material seemed to make the blades on Hidan's scythe bounce off in response. They might be at a slight disadvantage right now, but hopefully Kakuzu could subdue her without much damage to her. Without wasting anymore time, he threw his right fist at her, along with a mass of tentacles trying to catch her as if she were some wild animal. That could be a good analogy for the current situation he found himself in. She had managed to speed past his trap and ran straight to Hidan. Hidan was no easy feat though, seeing as no matter what she was going to try, it would be in vain. Without missing a beat, metal met her right arm this time. Hidan had held his ground and was able to push her far enough away to respond with a leg sweep, causing her to slip up and without wasting a breath, she sank his scythes tip through the her chest. And in that moment, Kakuzu could feel a sickness wash over him. Hidan had shown no reserve to hold back on attacking her. Kakuzu tried to think of a way to call this mission off without unnecessary death and bloodshed. Although that thought seemed fleeting, as the possessed woman now seemed to be full of rage. She stood upright, slowly tilting her head up just enough to catch a glimpse of those glowing red eyes.

Hidan had begun drawing his sacrificial ring, seeing as her blood had covered his scythe. And in that moment, she seemed to freeze momentarily.

"Hidan wait!" But it was too late as he started driving scythe in his own torso, causing the dark liquid to puddle at her feet. Although his attacks seemed to only amplify her rage. Without a second thought, Kakuzu rushed at Hidan and threw him out of his own ritual circle.

"What the fuck was that?!" As Kakuzu had started to form the words to explain what was happening, a searing pain filled his body. The mystic arrow pointed in his face moments earlier had now penetrated his torso, causing one of his hearts to explode on impact. The searing pain that was causing his whole body to ache had come from the one he couldn't even blame. How could he magically show up all these years later and expect things to be how they used to be. That looseness he had with Mina before seemed to be long forgotten. It strained him to turn and face her.

"She is my responsibility, not yours Hidan." Hidan had seemed confused as to why this wasn't a team effort. Kakuzu had decided that leaving Hidan in the dark about this was the best way to not cause a huge fuss over small, and seemingly insignificant details. How could he even explain that this was the only woman he had ever held dearly to his own self.

"We are not but one person's responsibility, and that is not yours."

Who else could she be talking about? There were key details missing, but the lack of time seemed to play the bigger role right now. What could her purpose be? Was she talking about this demonic force that controlled her? No, it couldn't be.

"Please, I don't want to hurt you. Let me help you."

"There is no hope for us. Not any more. We are forever trapped here, doomed to endlessly wander these lands until directed otherwise."

"Tell me Mina, who is the one in control?" This can be fixed, right? It had to be, because Kakuzu didn't think he could live with her dying in his hands a second time. Not in this lifetime.

"I am sorry things couldn't have been different, Kuzu. Do not fret, we will live on." And in that moment, she seemed to disappear. She couldn't have strayed too far.

"So you know this woman, huh?" Hidan's digging already had Kakuzu irritated with him. Nobody left alive knew of his true despair of losing one he held so close to his own heart. The thought honestly made him feel sick. As quickly as she appeared, she slipped right through his hands again. She had to be close though, and he was not going to let this chance pass him by. Not again. Without a word to his partner, he leapt off, heading deeper into the forest. Hidan would catch up to him, but maybe if he could explain himself, she would listen. She had to, or death would surely follow her. That was not an option. Not in Kakuzu's mind, anyway.

The deeper in he went, the more ghostly the woods seemed to appear. Dead trees still stood tall. This place seemed to become more and more of a nightmarish scene. There was something else deep in his gut telling him he was being closely watched. As he entered a small clearing, he seen a small, decrepit cabin that seemed abandoned. It was honestly falling apart. As he approached, he heard a low growl in the distance. Without turning his head, he already knew who was watching him. Without a second thought, he entered the cabin, hoping to be given more answers. And if not, she could kill him where he stood. Maybe then, they would be equals in her eyes. He had decided if he was to die, he wanted it to be on his own terms.

"Why are you here, Kakuzu? You will surely die if you do not leave this place."

"If death is what must happen, then so be it. I will not fight you."

In just a few moments, there she was in front of him. Her second form still protecting her.

"Why are you truly here? For the money you will get for my head? I already know your true purpose, and to trick me into letting my guard down so your parnter could attack was a brilliant move on your part. It will not happen again."

Without a word, he let his cloak slip off and fall to the ground. "If you want to kill me, then do it. I might have came originally because of a bounty, but that is not why I am here now. Surely you must know this."

"You are a fool to come here, surely you know your cruel and dark fate if you stay here."

"Maybe I am foolish to blindly chase after you, but I hold no regret for that. Do what you must..I could not keep myself from you. Not again, I will not let you slip through my fingers again. If I die by your blade, then I will find some sense of peace in knowing I was by your side even briefly."

She held a blade that compares in size to Samehada. It was an obsidian black with pulsing red veins, pointed right at his neck. How she was able to hold it one handed spoke to her true strength. "I will not run from you, Mina. I cannot. The last time I did, was the worst day I have had in this life time. So kill me if you must, but I will not leave without you."

"Master will not be happy that you have found us. He wants you and the rest of the Akatsuki dealt with."

"Who is your master?"

The grip on her blade faltered and she dropped it. "I wish things could have been different between us. But fate will not let us have that grace, I'm afraid."

Where was Hidan? Why had he not found Kakuzu?

"Where are we?"

"So long as you are here, you will never be found-for this place is protected by my own Genjutsu. Once you wander in, you can not leave. Forever trapped in this prison, the same as us. Only we can allow others inside and outside of this place."

She seemed to relax a bit seeing as her form seemed to change to the Minahira he knew and cared for. Would she kill him? It was possible-he had no intentions to stop her should she choose for him to die. He at least would be on his own terms and was okay with the possible outcome.

"Let me stay here with you. Give me the grace to be by your side." It was almost like a teasing dream. Time seemed to move slower here-which he had no complaints about.

They locked eyes and even with no words left between them and the current situation they were in, Kakuzu felt like a weight had been lifted from him and for once in such a long time, he was content. Even with his own time limited with the woman he couldn't let go.

She took a few steps, leaving but a few inches of space between them "Why? Why, even in the face of death, do you not run?"

"Because I died a long time ago, the day you died in my arms. I have waited my life to see you again."

Without a word, she stood on her tip toes and planted a small peck on his cheek. "I am sorry I can not give you what you are looking for. I am not free to make my own choices anymore. I knew you would find me someday-though I wish it were on better terms. I am afraid that I can't give you what you are seeking. Leave this place, Kakuzu, and don't look back. Don't wait for me, for one day our paths will cross again."

"I would kill for you. And I would die for you-living on knowing you are in this world without me, I don't know that I can promise you that."

"I am sorry that it has to be this way. There is not much time left, quickly now." She had darted off to the southeast from what he could tell, and without question he followed her. She was faster, though, and he quickly lost sight of her. Heart racing, he sped up tp try to catch her, only to be disappointed to find himself closer to his partner. She had to release him from her jutsu. She had tricked him, and the pain he felt aching caused him to stop in his tracks. He couldn't feel her chakra readings anywhere near him. Anger bubbled up inside him and he let out a loud and painful scream "MINAAAA!"

He could feel the hot liquid run down his face, causing him to be more angered by his weakness of heart. He fell to the forest floor, holding either side of his head as he just let it all out. He was always told that love hurt, and going through this a second time felt impossible to navigate through. He became silet, holding himself as stray tears trickled down his face, landing in the dirt below him. He made a vow that day-a vow that one day he would take his beloved away from this place so they could have the life together that she deserved from him. But how could they be united again if he had no way to break her jutsu. Who was her master? He had too many questions and no answers. He took a deep breath and stood up, just in time for his partner to arrive.

"I heard you yelling. What is going on? Did you kill her? Where is she-"

"If you do not shut your mouth, you will be the one deceased." The pure anger and hurt he felt inside him was something he didn't know if he could live through. All he knew was that one day, he will free her from her bindings to whoever controlled her. He vowed to see that through.

This has been a snippet of a story idea I have had for a little bit now. I obviously only own my own OC. I hope you guys enjoyed this! Let me know if you would be interested in the full story. :)